Tuesday, September 09, 2008

A letter from a senior Conservative to the TUC, shines a revealing spotlight on the current political mess at Westminster and how it could be played out in the future. It's another nail in Brown and New Labour's coffin, as we watch events unfold on a split screen.

In Brighton, union leaders at the TUC, using language unheard of just a few years ago, expressed genuine frustration and anger at the government.

In Birmingham, a cardboard cabinet of empty suits swanned around in shallow selfish arrogance, in a thinly disguised publicity stunt.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne, has written an open letter to the TUC calling on trade union members to "forget" the Labour Party, accusing the government of betraying workers.

"So if you care about better jobs and better incomes, and if you care about treating public sector professionals with respect – forget about the Labour Party. It has forgotten about you."

The move comes as chancellor Darling, addresses TUC delegates, which will hardly set conference alight.

Events at the TUC mirror those which are happening in the Labour Party and among some Labour MPs. After years of cosying up to New Labour, many have had enough.

The Conservatives are tapping into that real battle between those with true Labour values and the New Labour elite.

Brown and his New Labour ministers are living in a fantasy world. With the exception of postie turned health secretary, Alan Johnson, not one cabinet member has any experience of the real world.

Raising the spectre of the bad old days of the unions is both naive and unhelpful.

The Conservatives are showing a way forward. Throwing a reassuring olive branch to the trade unions, is a welcome first step. They are doing the same with the SNP in Scotland.

This is not so much about party politics. This is facing up to the reality of the situation.

A cabinet reshuffle, another re-launch by Brown, a more Blairite leadership challenge, will achieve nothing. It's the end of the New Labour Project and true Labour is trying to regroup. The government doesn't stand a chance at a general election. All the political players know that.

The Conservatives, for so long happy to sit on the sidelines and watch New Labour disintegrate, now know it will all end sooner rather than later.

Only those with a selfish, vested interest in propping up New Labour, will try to help them to cling onto power.